Aerial navigation apparatus.



J. OSTAND. AERIAL NAVIGATION APPARATUS.

' APPLICATION FILED MAR 21, 1910. i 987,819, Patented Mar.28, 1911.

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Patented 11112111.28, 1911.

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J. OSTAND. AERIAL NAVIGATION APPARATUS.. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 21, 1910. 987,81 9 Patented 11131128, 1911.

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JOSEPH OSTAND, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

AERIAL NAVIGATION APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Mal'. 28), 1911.

Application filed March 21, 1910. Serial No. 550,662.

bracing an inflated buoyancy-member having a parachute-member received thereabout` and so arranged that said members may be adjusted to relative elevation for permitting escape of air pressure between the two members or for causing t-he two members to come .into intimate contact in order to retain the air-pressure bet-Ween the same.

My invention consists further in providing a plurality of inflated buoyancy-bags arranged about a carried member, shown as a tent-structure, the latter having an inflated buoyancy-bag immediately thereabove, the said structure and last-named bags having connection with said inflated buoyancymember and parachute-member'for receiving support from said members' and controlling the relative `elevations of said members,'said members being arranged to be sent up into the air in advance of said structure and accompanying bags. `The said connection is obtained by means of flexible connections leading 'from said buoyancy-member and parachute-member to said structure, upon whichineans are provided for manipulating/said flexible connections for determining the" distance between said structure and said liest-named members and for controlling the -relative elevations of said members.

My invention is also arranged to embody a kite of novel form havin@v flexible connection with said tent-structure in novel manner.

The invention will be further readily understood from the following description and claims, and from the drawings, in which latter: y -v Figure 1 is a rear elevation of my improved device, partly brolien away, showing the flexible connections for the upper buoyancy and parachute members and the Vkite partly broken away, the said buoyancy and parachute members and kite being arranged in practice to be at considerable elevation above the carried structure and its accompanying inflated bags. Fig. 2 is a bottom view of my improved device, with the kite omitted. Fig. 3 is a horizontal` section of my `improved device taken on the line z-e of-Fig. l, with the brackets for the propeller-shafts partlybroken away. Fig. l is a detail in vertical section showing the contacting means between the upper inflated .buoyancy member and the parachute member in contacting relation in full lines, the former being also shown in dotted lines for illustrating the contacting means in separated relation. Fig. 5 is a detail in vertical section on t-he line y-y of Fig. 3, partly broken away, showing the manner of connecting the intermediate inflated bag to the tent-structure, and of connecting the parts of the tent-structure; and, Fig. 6 is a side elevation partly in section, of one of the inflated bags.

' 1 represents the upper inflated buoyancymember, shown as a bag, which is surrounded by a band 2 to which suspending cords 3 are secured, 'which merge into suspending cords 3', the lower ends of the latter being connected to a ring 4, from which flexible connections 5 depend.

6 isa wind buoyancy member, and may be in the form ofaparachute, having a central aperture? through which the upper end of the bag l, which is the upper bag of my improved device, is received, the parachutemember 6 normally contacting with the bag, the parts being so proportioned however, that the bag will not pass through the aperture. Thus the wall of the aperture may comprise a stillening-ring 8 arranged to rest on a stilfening-ring 9 secured to the inflated bag l, the stiffening-ring 8 normally resting on thestiffening-ring 9 for closing the opening in the parachute-member against upward passage of air therethrough.

Means are provided which will be more fully hereinafter explained by which relative elevation may be had between the upper inflated bag 'l and the parachute 6, so that the bag will lill the central aperture for forming a buoyancy-chamber 10 under the parachute, between the bag 1 and the parachute, or so that a space l1 will be provided between the wall of the aperture and the upper inflated bag for-permitting the air or pressure to be relieved through said space. When the bag closes said aperture,.the eX- istence of wind or air pressure under the parac'utc in said. buoyancy-chamber will aid in supporting the carried parts. Upon exouter edge of the parachute-member, pref? erably by means of supplemental suspending-cords 13 and 13.

16 is akite which comprises a fiat frame 17, disks 18 at the sides of' the frame having connection with said frame by springs 19,'

and a tail 2O suspended from saidyframe 17 by links 21.- The flat frame, disks and tail may be respectively constructed of a framework, indicated in dotted lines, over which canvas is stretched and then painted. A

exible connection 22 connects with supple' mental connections 23 secured to the kite.

The upper inliated bag, the parachute and the kite are in practice arranged to be infthe air at considerable elevation above the carried member and accompanying inflated bags hereinafter mentioned, the' elevations of said upper bag, parachutel and'kite being controlled from said carriedmember.I The kite is intended for use when traveling in the direction of the wind. When not in use it is arranged to be received in the carried `member.

26 is acarried member shown as atentstructure comprising al floor 27. which comprises eXtensions 28 29 forming platforms at therespective sides thereof, a central tube 30 passing through the floor and beingsecured thereto and extending upwardly therefrom. L A ring 31 is secured to the upper end of the tube. holes 32 in the ring 31 at their upper ends and have nuts 33 34 thereabout at top and bottom of the ring and their'lower ends are received through holes 37 in the floor, nuts 38 and 39 being received about the threaded lower ends of said stanchions respectively above and'below the ioor for supporting said ioor and stanchions. There is a suitable covering 40 received about the stanchions for forming a closed structure, having a chamber 41, this covering preferably comprising widths of canvas, properly waterproofed, having loops 42 received about the stanchions. At each side of the struct-ure this covering takes the form of a fiap 43 which may be opened or closed and is arranged for ingress into or egress cnt of the structure. The. lower ends of these flaps if desired may be supported on posts 44 ex- Stanchions 35 pass through` ee'nre tending upwardly from the platforms, or the same may be secured in closed relation by means of buttons 45.

Inflated buoyancy bags 51 52 .53 54 are located about the tent-structure. Each of these last-named buoyancy bags has HeXible connections 55 secured thereto, as through the medium of a band 56 surrounding said' bag, these flexible connections having connection` at their lower ends with a 2mg-57 which has adjustable connection with a runway 58..` These runways' are parts of the front and rear extensions 59 60 of the licor formed preferably of rods and braces therefor. The rings 57 may be suitably secured lengthwise of `said runway bymeans of sethrough the tube and being connected at theirlower'endsto cross-bars 68 which are located crosswise on the lower face of the floor.

71 72 and 73 74 are screw propellers which are arranged tandem in pairs at' the respective sides of the carried member, the propellers of the respectivepairs being secured to shafts 75 76 respectively mounted in bearings 77 78 in brackets 7 9 80 extending later- 'ally .from the platforms.l

81 is a motor of suitable construction, preferably a reversible internal combustion motor suitably secured to the Hoor'. l,

82 is a counter-shaft larranged rto be driven from the motor by means of a sprocket-chain 83 received about the sprocket-wheel84 secured to said countershaft` and a sprocketwheel 85 secured to the motor-shaft: A sprocket-chain 86 is received about a sprocket-wheel 87 loose on said countershaft and a sprocket-wheel 88 on the propellershaft 75. A clutch 89 is arranged toJ selec- 115 tively connect 4the sprocket-wheel `87 to' said countershaft or to disconnect the same therefrom, and is arranged to be operated by a lever 90 extend-ing through the floor. A sprocket-chain 91 is received -about a 120 sprocket-wheel 92 loose on said countershaft and a sprocket-wheel 93r on the propeller, shaft 7 6.l A clutch 94 is'arranged to selectively connect the sprocket-wheel 92 to said countershaft or to disconnect the same therefrom, and is arranged to be operated by a lever 95 extending through the floor. By this means the propellers may be driven in one or the other direction, depending on the direction in which the motor is driven, and 139 987,819 y y l:

each pair may also-be selectivelyconnected to or disconnected from the motor, as may be desired.

The countershaft 82 is preferably located l below the floor and the sprocket-chain 83 .passes from the motor-shaft through an opening 96 in the floor to the sprocketwheel on said countershaft. The sprocketwheels on said countershaft are preferably each connected with the countershaft through the'medium of the clutch so that the propellers at either side of the tent-struc ture may be selectively brought into motion in order Ato govern the direction of movement of the device.

The flexible connections 5 connecting with the upper inflated bag are shown as four in' number andthe flexible connections 12 connecting with the parachute member are also shown as four in number.' These' flexible connections are arranged to depend and connect with the carried member and to aid in supporting the same, and the relative elevations of said upper inflated member and parachute member are also controlled from said carried member through .said flexible connections. For accomplishing this the flexible connections `5 of the upper bag are received about pulleys 101 secured to the extensions at each of the four-sides of the floor, and extend across the bottom of the floor and pass about pulleys 102 and through apertures 103 in the floor to a spool 104. .y

The flexible connections 12 of the parachute are received about pulleys 105,` secured to the extensions of the floor, and pass across the bottom of said floor and about pulleys 106 and through apertures 107 in the floor and about a spool 108. i r

The spools 104 108 are mounted on a counltershaft 109 which has a sprocket-wheel 110 thereon, a sprocket-chain 111 passing 'over said sprocket-wheel and asprocket-wheel 112. The sprocket-wheel 112 is connected with and disconnected from the motor shaft vconnected withrsaid countershaft 109 and disconnected therefrom by means of a clutch 114, fand the spool 108 is connected with and disconnected from said countershaft by means of a clutch 115. By these means suitable -driving connections are obtained with either or both of the series ofvflexible connections 5 and 12, as may be desired. Suitable means are also provided for maintaining the spools stationary. There is for instance a locating pin 116 in a bracket 117 secured to the floor which is received into suitable apertures in the flange 118 of the spool 104,-and a locating pin 119 in said bracket received in suitable apertures in a 'flange 120 of the spool 108. I

If it is desired to permit the upper inflated member and-the parachute member to simultaneously ascend or, to cause approach between sald members and the carried member, under control of the engine, the engine is operated in the desireddirectionrand drivf to the floor of the structure about a pulley,

123 linked to a pulley 121 on a flexible member 122 suitably secured at one end to the .upper end of the tent-structure 4and at its lower end to the lower part of the same, the pulley being accommodated on the flexible member according to the strain upon the same by the kite. l

The buoyancy members heretofore described are above Athe floor of the device uponwhich the passenger or passengers or load to be carried are intended to be located. Under this floor I provide a central casing v126 shown in the form of a box, which is suspended from a frame-work 127 lshown constructed of bars and braces, this framework being suspended from Lthe floor. At each corner of this frame-Work an inverted inflated bag 128 is suspended. The lower ends of lthese inverted inflated bags are also secured for controlling the positions of the same, as by means of brackets 129 Whichextend laterally from the box and have connection with the lower ends of said lower inflated bags. The purpose/of these lower inlated bags and the box is to carry a supply of inflating substance and they serve to buoy the carried structure from below in case the same should alight. on water. Suitable supporting wheels 130 are provided adjacent the bottom of the box. Ladders 131 are arranged to be suspended from the plati forms for providing access thereto.

The inflated buoyancy members may be formed of tent-like halves having their ends of largest diameterpresented toward each other, with the band surrounding thet same located at the joint between said halves. Thus referring to Fig. 6 in which the inflated buoyancy bag 51 is shown as an exemplication of the construction of all of said bags, Ithereare widths 132 132 of canvas connected by seams 133 133 the ends 134 134. of largestdiameter of the respective halves 135 135 of said bag being connected by thesurrounding band 56 by means of seams 136 136, the bag being properly Waterproofed and made impervious to gas.

.'lphe lower inverted buoyancy bags may be formed similarly to the lower end of said buoyancy bag 51.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an aerial navigation apparatus, the combination of an inflated buoyancy member, a parachute member spreading to substantially greater width than said inflated buoyancy member for forming an air-buoyancy chamber between said parachute memythe wall of said aperture, substantially for the purpose described.

2. In an aerial navigation apparatus, the

combination of an inflated buoyancy member, a parachute member spreading to substantially greaterwidth than said inflated buoyancy member for forming an air-buoyancy chamber between said parachute member and inflated buoyancy member, said parachute member being provided with an aperture in its top through which said inflated buoyancy member projects upwardly, a carried member, flexible connections b etween said inflated lbuoyancy member and parachute member, and said carried member for supporting said latter member from said first-named members, and means for controlling the operative len hs of said flexible connections between sai carried lmember and said inflated buoyancy member and parachute member respectively for controlling the relative elevations between said inflated buoyancy member and the wall of said aperture, substantially for the purpose described.

3. In an aerial navigation apparatus, the combination of an inflated buoyancy member, a parachute member spreading to substantially greater width than said inflated buoyancy member and received about said inflated buoyancy member for forming a buoyancy-chamber between said inflated buoyancy member and parachute member, and means for controlling the continuity of the wall of said buoyancy-chamber during maintenance of inflated condition of said inliated buoyancy member and the spread condition of said parachute member for regu-V latin the buoyancy-pressure therein, substantlally for the purpose described.

4. In an aerial navigation apparatus, the combination of an inflated buoyancy member, a carried structure in the form of a tentstructure comprising a floor, a central tube, inclined stanchions between said floor and tube, a kite, a flexible connection therefor, securing means for said flexible connection at the lower portion of said tent-structure, a

flexible member secured at its upper terminus adjacent to the upper end of said tube and stanchions and at its lower end to the lower end of said tent-structure, and of -a length to form a loop extending substantially above said tent-structure, said flexible connection having slip connection with that portion of said flexible member farthest removed from said tent-structure, substantially as described.

'5. In an aerial navi ation apparatus, the combination of an in ated buoyancy member, a parachute member spreading to substantially greater width than the said inflated buoyancy member for forming an airbuoyancy chamber between said parachute member and inflated buoyancy member, said parachute member being provided with an aperture in its top through which said inflated buoyancy member projects upwardly tosubstantial extent, a carried member, a winding apparatus thereon, flexible connections between said respective inflated buoy' ancy and parachute members and said wind-- buoyancy chamber between said parachute' member and inflated buoyancy member, said parachute member bein'gprovided with an aperture in its top through which said inflated buoyancy member projects upwardly to substantial extent, a carried member, a propeller therefor, an engine for operating said propeller, winding apparatus on said carried member having operative connection with said engine, flexible connections between said respective inflated buoyancy and parachute members and said winding apparatus, said winding apparatus arranged for controlling the relative elevation between said inflated buoyancy member and said parachute member during maintenance of inflated condition of said inflated buoyancy member and the spread condition of said parachute member, and means for selectively operatively connecting said propeller or said winding apparatus with said engine or collectively operatively connecting said propeller and winding apparatus with said engine, substantially for the purpose described.

7. In an aerial navigation apparatus, the 'combination of a tent-structure comprising a floor, stanchions extending upwardly therefrom toward each other, and a covering about said stanchions for forming a tent-structure which tapers upwardly and has a chamber thereunder, and a series of inflated bags located about said tent-Structure and having lower' ends which'taper downwardly at the side of said upwardly tapering tent-structure, and adjustable connections between said respective bags and said tent-structure for adjusting the lat-eral placement of said bags about said tentstructure, the adjacent sides of' said inflated bags extendinov into the longitudinal projection of said tent-structure, and constructed and arranged for permitting close approach between t-he reversely tapered adjacent sides ot said tent-structure and inflated bags, substantially as described.

8. In an aerial navigation apparatus, the combination of a tent-structure comprising a floor, a cent-ral tube extending upwardly therefrom, stanchions extending upwardly from said floor toward each other and having connection at their tops with said tube, a. series ot inflated bags located about said tent-structure and having connection with the lower part thereof, and an additional inflated bag above said tent-structure, and a connection passing through said tube and connecting said additional inated bag to said Hoor, substantially as described.

9. In an aerial navigation apparatus, the combination of a tent-structure comprising a floor, a central tube extending upwardly therefrom, stanchions extending upwardly from said floor toward eachother and having connection at their tops with said tube, a series of inflated bags located about said tent-structure and having connection with the lower part thereof, an additional inflated bag above said tent-structure, a connection passing through said tube and connecting said additional inflated bag to said floor, and a buoyancy-member located under said floor, substantially as described.

lO. Inan aerial navigation apparatus, the

' combination of an inflated buoyancy bag whose upper and lower ends taper oppo sitely, a parachute member provided with an aperture in its top through which said tapering upper end of said inliated buoyancy bag is received to substantial extent, said parachute member increasing in diameter toward its lower end, the lower portion of said parachute membery being received about the downwardly tapering lower end of said inated buoyancy bag, and constructed and arranged for forming a buoyancy chamber between said inflated buoyancy bag and parachute member, the upper end of which is arranged to be opened by adjustment of elevation between said inflated buoyancy bag and parachute member and under maintenance of inflation of said inflated buoyancy bag, substantially as described.

11. In an aerial navigation apparatus. the combination of a tent-structure comprising a floor, stancliions extending upwardly therefrom toward 'each other and a covering about said stanchions for forming a chamber thereunder, a series of inflated bags located about said tent-structure and having connection with the lower part of the same, an elevated inflated buoyancy member and an elevated parachute member having an aperture therein in which said elevated inflated buoyancy member is received, flexible connections between said last-named members and said tent-structure for controlling the relative elevation between said members, andl an intermediate inliated buoyancy bag having connection with said tent-structure and located above said tent-structure and below said elevated inflated buoyancy member, substantially for the purpose described. y

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name hereto in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOSEPH OSTAND.

Witnesses:

LILLIAN BURNETT, CONSTANT SoUTHwoRrH. 

